A/N Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter 3 of a New Life With A Bite. They were very welcome and much appreciated.
GreenRena: Glad it's still interesting! There are plenty of slavers on Omega, but feeding exclusively off them would be a bad idea. Still you gotta start somewhere... I think one of the best things about using a vamp in the story is the possibilities. I don't really know where I'm gonna take it, it kind of writes itself but I have ideas. Hope you like this chapter as well.
Ironjaw: Glad you're still loving it. I agree a lot of the time you don't see many reactions in a lot of the fics but mostly I think that's down to people trying to cover the events of the entire game...that is a lot of stuff to write and it kind of forces people to focus on the action. I hope the way I write this you get sense of pace and atmosphere as well. I don't need to write the whole story so we'll see what happens. Hope you continue to enjoy it.
Kreidian: Thanks for taking the time to have a look and I hope I don't disappoint. I don't want Nat to become a Mary Sue. She's a borderline sociopath to start with who gets being a vampire grafted on, and I think she's more likely to become an anti-hero type of character. Yes she has biotics, and took a clip but there's a reason why. Having said that I did go back and rewrite that section a little, a change of a few words and it reads better and doesn't overpower so much. Hopefully it also conveys that there is some drain going on. As for getting people to like her...well Nat's getting hungry and doesn't have a nice temper. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Keep up with the comments and keep me honest please.
Subsider34: Pleased to see you...stay a while! Enjoy the next chapter.
KhazintheDark: I'm really pleased that so far you can't see what's next. I hope I manage to keep that up. This next chapter should set up some stuff nicely, at least I hope so. Totally valid questions cos at the moment Nat is alone and one does not a species make...I always figured that turning by being drained and ingesting a vamp's blood getting the disease in the system made the most sense, so we'll see what happens then. As far as her 'donor' body is concerned her enforced mutation to a vampire has completely changed her biometric signature, so the Alliance has no records. Gonna cause her problems that. I hope you keep on enjoying my story and please keep the comments coming. I totally feed off them!
Oh my God. I'm in Afterlife. The music is insanely loud, torture on my enhanced senses. My vision is full of a writhing mass of every species, drinking and cavorting their time away, lost in the energy of the beat and the dance floor. The bass is enough to send shivers through the clouds of smoke and fog which shroud the table and booths around the dance floor, while holo light shows beam everywhere, some highlighting the dancepoles with half naked Asari wrapped around them. It's an eye popping scene, and if I wasn't distracted I would have happily spent some time enjoying the view.
Unfortunately I am distracted, or more accurately shitting myself at the prospect of meeting Aria T'loak. Anything could happen in the next 5 minutes and most of the possibilities involve me dying again. Still it's not like I have a choice in the matter, Aria has plenty of firepower at hand. Leaving the apartment block the 3 of us had piled into the skimmer which also had an armored Batarian riding shotgun. The Batarian was glaring at me throughout the ride to Afterlife, I guess that answers the question of who Travus was talking to as on his comm as we left the apartment. The skimmer parked outside Afterlife and we walked in, past the queue waiting for entry, me with my kitbag slung over my left shoulder, Pashya ahead of me,her 2 escorts slightly behind and either side of me. Time to face the music.
Ahead of me Pashya spoke to the Batarian guarding the stairs to Aria's private booth. The Batarian clearly isn't impressed at the idea of letting me through but Pashya hissed something at him that I don't hear and he backs down stepping aside. I follow her up the stairs, with Pashya's escort close behind me. I step into Aria's private enclave, Omega's Queen is lounging in her customary position idly looking over her club. Between her and me are 4 heavily armed bodyguards, and a 5th guard in front of an empty weapons rack holding a scanner of some sort. Pashya steps up beside me.
"Give your weapons to him, inactive please Miss Stern," I guess we're back to being formal, "You'll get them back afterwards."
I hesitate and the bodyguards tense, so slowly I reach behind me for the shotgun passing it to a Turian guard, followed by my pistol. Down to my biotics alone if this goes bad. The bodyguards relax slightly as I disarm, and the Batarian with the scanner steps forward.
"I'm unarmed now, what's with the scanner?"
"Relax Human we get all sorts in here, nutjobs with explosives strapped to them, people hiding their identity behind surgery, infiltrators trying to get scanners or eavesdropping gear in. This just makes sure we now what we dealing with."
Unfortunately, that's exactly what I'm worried about. I tense as the Batarian runs the scanner over me, waiting for the shit to hit the fan. He looks confused for a moment and looks at me uncertainly, before running the scanner again. The bodyguards are well trained because they immediately pick this up and are fully focussed on me again, weapons pointed at me. Aria hadn't been paying attention but obviously her subconscious was reacting because she turned away from the balcony and looked to see what was causing the delay. I just stand there, unarmed, palms open but with my biotics ready to go.
"What the fuck's taking so long?" Aria demanded harshly. She doesn't like being kept waiting.
The Batarian scowls at me then turns to his boss.
"There's something weird here Boss. The scan readings are...strange."
"You broke the damn thing?" Aria accuses him.
"No Boss, I already checked, the scan is functioning fine, and so is my omnitool's link. It's the Human who's weird not the scanner." He turns back to me, looking at the scan results then back to me. I stay still, passive, trying not to amp up the tension. Aria stands up and steps forward with her hands on her hips. I can actually see her face now and she's beautiful but its a very harsh beauty marred by her angry frown and tight pressed lips. Seeing her move in his peripheral vision the Batarian winces slightly.
"Fucking Maker! Pashya get over here and bring me the damn scan pad. The rest of you shoot the Human if she twitches."
I wasn't moving but now I stay frozen on the spot. It's weird, down in the alleys, I wasn't scared at all but now? Now I can honestly say given much more tension I might piss myself, except that particular bodily function doesn't see to work anymore, I haven't gone since I woke up. More of the whole vampiric weirdness.
Pashya steps away and takes the pad to Aria, and then they both stare at it. Aria presses a button on her omnitool and some sort of field spring to life in front of them. They're talking and I can't hear them...ah a privacy field, cool. Pashya and her boss are having an animated conversation, first Aria looks pissed off, and I guess she's chewing out her agent, but then it changes and both of them are looking at me, I'd have said in confusion but I can't really imagine Aria T'loak confused about anything. You wouldn't believe how long 5 minutes is when you're stood there with AR's and Shotguns pointed at you from all directions, and you don't dare twitch. Finally Aria turns the privacy field off and steps forward, as her guards shift to keep her out of the firing line. Pashya steps beside her, a little behind.
"Well Human, I expected to have a conversation with you about your unusual lack of identity, and biotics but it seems we have more interesting things to discuss. You told my agent here that you were in an explosion and then woke up here? That you don't remember anything else except your name?"
I went to talk and then froze again, mindful of the Mass Accelerator Bores pointed at me. T'loak frowned for a second then gave me a nasty grin.
"Huh, you're a wary one aren't you? Boys let her talk, but you still fill her with holes if she moves from there." Her guards confirmed her orders and Aria grins at me again, but it didn't seem quite so nasty this time.
"Okay Human, talk."
"I don't remember much at all, when I spoke with Havnoc he asked my name and Natalia Stern sprang out my mouth. I think it's right but...", I shrug. "I don't know what happened to me, and I'm learning as I go...like my omnitool here, and the translator."
Aria stares at me for a long time. "And what about your other differences?"
"Like what?" Time to see what the scan told her. Of course giving her shit will no doubt piss her off. I'm right and Aria faces darkens.
"You're biotic, what amp do you have?"
"Amp?" I don't have to pretend to be clueless, it's completely obvious I'm confused. Aria scowls even more and I worry she's gonna freak. When she speaks it sound's like grinding teeth.
"Biotic Amplifier. Humans don't have natural biotics. You...they," Crap does that mean she doesn't class me as Human already? "have to have amplifiers to perform biotics. The scan shows you have no implants at all so how are you performing military grade biotics?" T'loak demands, and I can tell she's not kidding now.
"Military grade?"
"Havnoc told me about you offing those Batarians, throwing someone hard enough to fold them around a girder counts as military. You're strong, crude as hell but strong. How?"
"I don't know...It seemed to come naturally?" I'm trying to stay calm but it's getting difficult.
"Naturally? I don't think so Stern. How about the gen mods?"
"Mods?" I'm actually starting to hate sounding like an idiot. Wish I could think faster on my feet.
"The scan shows your internal organs are not normal for a Human, doesn't identify them actually. Not to mention your body temperature, or your pulse, or your DNA being way off Human norm.
What are you Stern?" It's amazing really, how Aria's voice can be angry, vindictive, accusing, insulting and curious all at the same time. What I don't sense is fear, I can't smell it either, and I don't know whether to be relieved or scared about that. I guess if T'loak had more experience with Humanity she might have come up with the right answer by now, but she honestly doesn't seem to realise the danger I represent. A Human who guessed would have torched me by now, but Aria doesn't have centuries of Human myths and legends to freak her out. I still have to work out how to get out of this in one piece though, and I have no idea what my capabilities are. I've paused too long, and Aria's twigged that I know something.
"Well?"
"What am I? Not sure, a nightmare maybe. Whatever happened...I'm different now. I'm faster and stronger, have enhanced senses and the biotic stuff but my temper is worse as well, I get...angry, and hungry. I can be useful to you Aria. Kloat told me Omega's only law...don't fuck with Aria. I have no intention of fucking with you, in fact I would have preferred never running into the Boss of this rock. I want to get off Omega, that's what I was planning to do before I attracted your attention. I figured I would work as a tracker, chase bounties or work as a merc. Since we've crossed paths I'd rather work for you than risk crossing you."
"You're just gonna take up being a bounty hunter when you say you just learned what an omnitool and translater are?" Aria sounds like she doesn't know whether to be amused or offended. She looks at her agent skeptically. I stay silent and Pashya shrugs.
"Her biotic shield was strong Boss, strong enough to take a full heat sink of fire from Travus, then she ground his weapon into little pieces in mid air. Maybe she could make it as a hunter. Her omnitool shows enough creds for more than 2 months in the apartments so I guess she had some help."
"You woke up with an omnitool and creds?"
"I woke up with nothing." I correct her, meeting Aria's gaze.
"How'd you get the gear and cash?"
"It's been a violent couple of days, I took them off the dumb assholes who attacked me." If that isn't a plain enough hint then Aria must be fucking stupid. Her eyes are flinty but the nasty grin is more like Aria's patented smirk in acknowledgement at my jibe.
"You have a lot of attitude Stern, way more than most Humans who come through Omega. You need to keep it toned down, your species isn't that popular you know." The subtext is clear, show some respect. "Still tracking bounties does need an attitude."
"Like I said Aria, I've no intention of fucking with you, but plenty have tried to fuck with me since I got here, and I guess I'm cranky, comes of being hungry." That's as much of an indirect apology as I'm gonna give, but she nods slightly, acknowledging it. This is a strange conversation, I still have a small armory pointed at me, and I know I need to stay unfazed by that or Aria will decide I'm not worth testing. That's what the game is for right now, the chance to prove myself. Pashya gives a small snort of disgusted irritation before turning to her boss.
"Stern thinks a lot of herself but she might be worth testing Boss." Oops, I think Aria was kind of enjoying the face off and Pashya just cost her a few more minutes of amusement. Not her best idea after getting chewed out already.
"And who exactly would you have her track down for me Pashya?" Aria scowls at Pashya's interjection. Give the agent credit, she comes back with an answer straight away.
"Send the human after Dtcharten bar Yeis."
"Hmmm, his non payment is enough that a message does need sending. It could be interesting at least even if Stern doesn't survive."
"Who or what is Dtcharten bar Yeis?" I query, and Pashya grins as Aria turns and smirks at me.
"You've already met some of his crew I believe. He's a Batarian family head, like a sub chief. operating down in the lower levels and he owes me my due. His gang run the slaving on level 23 down to level 27. Batarian clans run all the slaving on Omega in a loose network, but he's new and is trying to make changes to the terms of their deal with me, and I cannot allow that, or they will all want the same."
"Slavers." My disgust draws Aria attention. Her tone is blunt.
"It's very big business Stern, and there have been slavers here almost as long as the station itself. We're in the Terminus Systems here, flesh is a commodity and the Batarians rely on it to make their culture work."
"Okay, how much does he owe?"
Aria glances at her omnitool, and finds the information she wants.
"The current bill is...1875045 creds."
"That's quite a sum Aria. You want him brought here, or just the money?"
"Hmmm, no I think I want my money and his head for making me wait. His gang will just have to find a replacement. This should be a good test for you Stern, if you succeed I get my money and message delivered. Or you fail and they kill you or make you a slave which solves the problem of what you are exactly, and I have plenty of others who want an opportunity to impress me. Either way I win, which is the point after all. Is that an issue for you Stern?" Aria challenges me.
I think about it for a second. Take on a whole slaving gang? Not the sanest idea I ever heard of. Still I don't really need to take them all on, and from Aria's point of view I'm a problem and my sanity is questionable at best. And I really don't like slavers. It will be a whole lot of on the job training. Do I have a problem with Aria's attitude to me? Nope, come to think of it it's probably how I'd deal with a similar problem.
"No. I'll be happy killing slavers all day long, and solving 2 problems at once makes sense to me as well. Any idea how many men he has and where I can find him?" I guess the Queen of Omega likes my attitude because she nods then replies.
"Sure. A rough guess would be maybe 40 spread over the sub pens and auction markets between levels 23 and 27. Probably another 50 or so at their main facility on level 27. There could be anywhere up to 1000 slaves there at any time. I'll send you the locations of their sites. Any more questions?"
"Yeah, how long do I have, and what's my pay?"
Aria smirks again and laughs. "Yeah you've the right priorities for a merc Stern. Bring me Yeis's head and I'll pay you 60k, and give you preferential rates on your apartment, and we'll see about more regular work. Bring me my money and I'll pay an extra 140k. I've already told Yeis he's on my shit list and there will be consequences so just work as fast as you can, 2 weeks local time max. You can stay in the apartment while you sort this out. Understood?"
"Yeah, deal Aria. I'll deliver some wrath for you." I give her my own nasty grin. Hers is better I admit, but hey she has centuries of practice. Aria seems to approve but Pashya seems pissed.
"You're a cocky upstart bitch Human, you need to learn your place." My smouldering temper flares into life again. I give Aria a look that asks her permission. Pashya is mouthing off at me but I ignore her, as Aria gives me a long measuring look back before that nasty smirk surfaces again and she nods, turning away and signalling her guards to stand down. I crick my neck and check on Pashya's escort as Aria's agent turns to follow her boss with a superior sneer at me. The Batarian that was on shotgun has stood down, and is turning to head back to Afterlife's lower floor. The Turian however seems to have taken my words to him to heart because he's still focussed on me. Aria's watching, and I wait as she sits down.
With a surge of will my power flares and my shields surround me. With one hand my power yanks Pashya into the air, while with the other my biotics hurl the Turian off the Aria's private level. Travus sees it coming but has no time to react as he finds himself thrown against the wall at the foot of the stairs, knocking the unfortunate Batarian flying as well.
I beckon and Pashya's struggling form floats closer to me.
"You dare! I'll..." Pashya is bright blue with her anger, but I'm pissed so for the first time I let that anger show in my expression, feeling my biotics flare brightly around me.
"You'll what?" I sneer. "You think I need to learn my place Kloat? No I think you need to learn yours." With a mental flick I tighten the power holding her in place, forcing her body to arch backwards, arms spread behind her, legs and feet together, then roll her forward bringing her face to face with mine.
"Aria deserves my respect Kloat and she has it. No doubt. You? You're not her right hand, you're her secretary with delusions of grandeur. Come on Asari, show me what you've got, put me in my place please...but try me and fail? I will end you. What's it going to be?"
My biotics are crackling around her, and Aria's guards from downstairs come hammering up the stairs, those on the left hand stairs struggling to get over a prone Turian and Batarian first. Seeing Aria's guards stood down they lower their weapons to watch the scene while Aria herself watches intently completely at ease, signalling her men to stand down.
Pashya struggles to free herself, and I see her glow as she tries to draw on her biotics. I don't know how I do it, but I measure that biotic strength and know it is sadly lacking. I'm holding her in place with only a small drain on my energy flow. She stops struggling and tears stream down her face, only to be held in place by my energy as well. I release the hold on her head.
"Well?"
The beaten Asari looks away, tears dripping now, refusing to meet my gaze. My voice is slow and cold as I tell her.
"I didn't think so. Remember this Pashya, you do your job for Aria, and I will do mine, and we will be fine. You ever cross me, it will be the last thing you ever do, because I am a far nastier bitch than you could ever dream of being, consider this payback for your little surprise earlier. Now get out of my face."
I release the biotic field holding her and she swan dives to the floor, managing to land on her hands and knees with a thud. Refusing to look at me, Pashya glances at Aria and Omega's Queen dismisses her with an impatient flick of her hand. The stricken woman pulls herself up then flees down the stairs.
Aria looks down at me from her raised sofa. "Well that was entertaining. Go on, get out of here Stern, you've got a job to do."
"You're welcome Aria, I'll be back with your money, and Yeis's head."
I throw her a casual salute, retrieve my weapons from the rack then head down the stairs, stepping over the unconscious Batarian, and crouching down by a groggy Turian.
"Just stay there Travus. Pashya needed dressing down and that was the fastest way to do it. She isn't hurt, except her pride, so you don't need to do anything dumb. Sorry for throwing you, but it was the safest way for everyone. I'd get your pal here conscious then ask Aria if she wants you to do anything."
"Human, you're crazy." The Turian growls at me shaking head.
"Yeah, I've heard that before. Got a bad temper as well. See you later Travus."
I leave the Turian to pick himself up, and leave Afterlife, confident that I've made an impression anyway, and wondering how to get at the Batarian slaver who owes Aria 2 million creds. Oh boy.
I take a cab back to the apartment, trying to work out a plan as the automated car skims along with the traffic. I'm gonna need some more equipment and some backup would be handy. With Aria's threats the slavers are going to have their guard up. Well they should have but so far those I ran into didn't seem that smart. I'm trying to decide the pros and cons of taking out their squads at the auction marts when the cab descends and lands outside my new home. I get out and stand by the doors. An overhead security cam focusses on me, and seconds later my omnitool gives a beep as I get a message. It tells me I have 30 seconds to place my hand on the door's scanner plate, which has omnitool tech built in. I do so and after 10 seconds the plate turns green and the doors unlock. Another message arrives telling me that the block's security system has been updated with my biometrics and will unlock for me in future. The code lock on my flat has been disengaged for me, and I can set it to whatever I want from the flat's terminal.
I shrug and head on in, hearing the front doors lock again behind me. A minute later and I'm in my new home, checking out the rooms. I'm still pissed at Pashya for violating this place's sense of security before I even got settled in. I just have to trust Aria a little, I know she's not going to waste a resource she thinks she can use, and I really doubt Pashya has the bottle to 'arrange' anything for me without her boss's okay. Eventually I'm satisfied that I'm all alone, using my enhanced senses and omnitool in every way I can think of to search the space around me, but I come up blank. If I do have company they're very very good at staying hidden, especially considering I found a mop in the kitchen and randomly sweep all the space with it. Once I'm done I set the code lock and head for the bathroom, I need a shower to unwind, and then I need to find dinner, before I get rash.
A/N
A slightly shorter chapter this time. No cliff hanger I'm afraid but I wanted to get this out there. We're past 20k words and there's loads more to come. To any new readers, please drop me a line, let me know what you think or even just a thumbs up or down. To everyone who is following or has favourited me thanks very much, it makes me believe I'm writing something good enough to enjoy it. Long may it continue! Thanks everyone, don't be strangers!